If you go for the Mercedes I suggest the 4 cylinder 200 the V6 of the 230 is much more complex and prone to a few electrical problems that can be very costly.Toyota Celica suffers from catastrophic engine failures as does the MR2.The Hyundai is pretty bullit proof as is the Mondeo 1.8 petrol the older Hyundai is just that getting old not a patch on the newer one.

what car are you trying to sell, if you are finding it hard to sell maybe its over priced?

To be honest a 13% reduction for a trade-in doesn't sound like a bad deal to me, especially if you WANT to get rid of it.

Of those on your list, I would prefer the Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE (better looking than its preceeding version and the best engine of the three offered in that range). The Mondeo would be a "safe" choice all things being equal and the cars all were in reasonable condition for their age. If you'll use the replacement to go to work, I would avoid the Toyotas given the Celica's well-known reliability issues and the MR2's very firm ride (it's really a weekend car only). If you really want a cheap, relaiable soft-top/sporty car, see if you can find a decent Mazda MX5 - mainly check for rust if you do (as well as general checks)

Difficult to say with any certainty which to go for - I would get the one you choose checked out independently before proceeding - 8+ year old cars are technically at the end of the lifespan that most manufacturers build into their design, so BEWARE.

Edited by Engineer Andy on 03/11/2012 at 17:39

Mercedes-Benz CLK 230K ELEGANCE 2DR TIP AUTO 2.3, 1998, 82,000mls £2000

Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 5DR, 2004 , 82,000mls £ 1595

Hyundai Coupe 1.6i 3 Door - 2000, 83,000mls £ 995

Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTI - 2000, 115000mls £1195

Hyundai Coupe 2.0 SE - 2002, 85000mls £1925

Toyota MR2 1749CC HARD TOP/SOFT TOP 3dr 2001 52,200mls £2495

Any really BIG pluses OR minuses to these cars ?

My 2p worth is....

The Merc is from the dog days of their efforts and this one will be like marrying Elizabth Taylor in terms of maintencence.

The Hyundai coupe is a lovely looking car, very basic mechanically, but the 1.6 is woefully underpowered.

Mondeo is dull.

I'd take the celica at the prices, 2nd choice the Hyundai 2.0.

The MR2 is impractical in the extreme